Chemical Peels for Treating Age Spots, Sun Spots, Wrinkles, and Other Blemishes

Chemical Peels For Reducing The Appearance of Wrinkles and Blemishes

Chemical peels are truly versatile procedures, and can both minimize the effects of aging on the skin, and reduce the appearance of blemishes, acne scarring and pigmentation spots. These facial skin care treatments are especially effective at treating fine lines, especially under the eyes and around the mouth.

Chemical peels are acidic lotions or liquid-like preparations applied to the face. The acid burns off the outer layer of the skin (or deeper layers depending on the type of peel) to remove the damaged or blemished outer layers of the skin and allow new skin to grow. After healing, the skin will be tighter, thicker (due to increased collagen production – an added benefit of the stronger peels), and may appear fuller and smoother with smaller pores and with less wrinkles and fine lines to give the face a rejuvenated appearance.

Three Types of Chemical Peels

There are three basic types of chemical peels that increase in intensity and the depth to which they penetrate the skin. They are usually grouped and defined by their relative strength and depth of the peel that is achieved. There are basically three groups, the light peels (AHA), light oil-based peels (BHA), and medium peels (TCA).

These peels can all be performed by a trained esthetician, and should be done at a medical spa. Focus Medical Spa, with locations in Anaheim, Irvine and San Juan Capistrano, California, has trained estheticians on staff that can perform these procedures safely and effectively.

AHA (alpha hydroxyl acid) peels are the mildest of the peels and can be performed by an esthetician and have minimal healing and down time, although a patient’s face may seem a bit pink after the procedure. These peels usually take 30 to 45 minutes and patients can return to their normal schedules right away. Two to three days following an ultra light peel, patients may experience temporary flaking, dryness and scaling, which can be controlled with a topical emollient. AHA peels are effective for light skin pigmentation problems, reduction of oil produced by overactive sebaceous glands, sun spots, light sun damage and other minor skin problems.

BHA (beta hydroxy acids) peels are similar to AHA peels, except they are oil soluble, meaning that they are even more effective at removing bacteria, dead skin cells and oil from deep within the sebaceous glands. Salicylic acid is one type of BHA peel and is best suited for use on oily, irritated skin with blemishes, blackheads and whiteheads. There is minimal downtime with BHA peels, although a patient may experience redness and sensitivity to the sun afterwards.

TCA (trichloroacetic acid) peels are deeper than AHA or BHA peels, and are longer lasting, penetrate deeper into the epidermis, and can treat more skin conditions. Downtime and healing can take up to a few weeks because these peels are much deeper, but they also have remarkable results.